I really enjoyed reading this book filled with compassion and tenderness from the author as this story deals with true to life emotional issues. I fell in love with Miles, a 10 year old foster child. His disposition and attitude about life was faced with courage even though he had suffered multiple losses.
Miriam and Calvin faced infertility issues but Calvin made a connection with Miles at the bookmobile. I loved how Gray weaved the story with Calvin and Miles as all foster children need to know they truly matter in life. This really touched my heart, as foster children has a special place in my heart. I’m glad to see Shelley Shepard Gray including them in her stories.

An Amish Surprise is filled with several story-lines that are connected by compassion, faith, acceptance of God’s timing, love no matter the age and so much more. This is the second book in The Berlin Bookmobile but can easily be read as a standalone. I highly recommend reading book one to appreciate Sarah’s dedication to the bookmobile she drives and her gentleness in assisting her patrons. Shelley Shepard Gray never disappoint this reader with her tales.

I received an ARC e-book copy from NetGalley and the publisher without any obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own thoughts.

Having read and enjoyed a number of Shelley Shepard Gray's books, I knew An Amish Suprise would be good. I was not disappointed as it is another engaging story by one of my favorite authors. In this second book of the Berlin Bookmobile, Gray focuses on foster care and second chance romance, both subjects are near to my heart. And then for this book lover, the idea of a story around a bookmobile--I'm in reading heaven! With strong, likable characters, (10-year-old Miles swooped in and stole my heart!) and a plot with a few twists, the story kept my interest from the beginning to the end. I like the author's style and her honest and redemptive approach to realistic struggles that her characters have. Readers who enjoy Amish romance stories will not want to miss this one.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shephard Gray is the second in the Berlin Bookmobile Series.

This story centers on Mariam and Calvin Gingerich, the librarian, Sarah Ann Miller and her new boyfriend are, Pete and Miles, a foster child that needs a home.

Mariam has a strong desire to give Calvin a child and she feels Calvin is slipping away. Enters Miles. A foster child who needs a home. Calvin feels a connection to Miles, now of only Mariam can feel the same way.

Can this all end well for this blended family?

This is a 5-star addition to this series. Order yours today.

I was given an ARC by Gallery Books through NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.

Publication day for this 5-star book is May 18, 2021. Order yours today.

I loved this book, the only bad part was that it had to end. So much love and compassion here.
The author touches on several subjects and winds them into a wonderful read.
Senior love, how old is too old? Then there is a struggle thrown in, and are they up for it?
We also have a young Amish couple struggling with infertility, and having reached the point where they most likely won’t be having any little ones.
We also are shown Amish foster homes, makes you think if you’re not Amish how very different from what they know, no TV here. We meet one of the of the children, a sweet ten year old Miles, life has not been kind to him, but maybe just maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I can’t wait for the next Sarah Anne visit!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray is book#2 in the Berlin Bookmobile series. I am such a huge fan of this series. Sarah Anne is the perfect librarian. She is kind, helpful and always has a listening ear for everyone. In this installment, we meet Calvin and Miriam Gingerich, a young Amish couple who have struggled with infertility. When Calvin meets Miles, a foster child who has had a lot of sadness in his young life, it seems that his hopes for a family may come true. Calvin and Miriam were pretty broken. I really liked them; they were so realistic. Miriam had started living by fear, not faith, after her hopes for a baby were dashed. Miles stole my heart. He has seen more heartbreak than any child ever should. Sarah Anne’s romance with Pete started heating up. Both had a lot of nervousness about dating again. While this is book #2 in the series, it is a standalone book. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The surprise was how much I connected to Miriam and Calvin Gingerich. An Amish couple that had their share of heart aches. Their need to protect each other at times kept themselves isolated even from each other. If you are not familiar with the need to over protect, you may find their relationship tiresome but you might surprise yourself and see how you over protect in your relationships like I did.

Miriam and Calvin have been trying to have a baby and have had disappointing news. They were just accepting the fact that they may not ever have that blessing for their own. When Calvin met a Amish boy Miles of 10 years old that was being fostered, he felt a connection that surprised him. Meeting him at the library gave him an opportunity to get to know him more and he realized that God had a plan for them. The only problem how would Miriam feel.

I like multiple story lines and especially when you have an Amish story line combined with an English story line. The librarian of the bookmobile where the Gingerich's lived was the other story line. Ever so helpful to her Amish friends but dealing with changes in her life.

Each story had an element of faith. Trusting God and trusting others. Lifelong lessons that we all face. The lesson I learned is my need to control always rob me of God's blessing.

A special thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I really enjoyed Gray's "An Amish Surprise". I loved how she talked about infertility, foster care, and adoption. I loved how there was two different couples embracing changes and new or fresh love. Calvin's friendship with Miles turns in to a blessing for the whole family. Sarah Anne rediscovers love at the young age of 61. The book centers around the Amish's interactions with the Englisch bookmobile and foster system, so you get a lot of cross over in the storyline.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is my first book by Brenda Maxwfield

Two sisters. One having a baby and sent away. The other sister that wants to find her. The father of the baby wants nothing to do with the baby, while another man is willing to step up to be the farther. Will the parents that sent the sister away to have the baby except her back. Will the sisters reunite? Who is the man that wants to step up. Read this sweet book to find the answers.

I giggle and the " dating tips at the beginning of each chapter.
I was able to read this ARC from Net Galley. and the Publishing Company.

This is the second book in the Berlin Book mobile series. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Sara Ann runs a bookmobile that travels around. In this book Miriam and Calvin Gingerich want a child. Miriam and Calvin have tried for a few years and Miriam had miscarried. When Calvin comes home late a few times Miriam believes he is seeing some one else. Calvin goes to the bookmobile to see a child that is in foster care. he is afraid to tell Miriam how much he would love to take in this child. A enjoyable story of love and trust and how Miriam and Calvin find happiness. Can not wait for the next book in this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, the second book in Gray’s Berlin Bookmobile series. It was full of surprises and kept me reading to find out what would happen next. Picking up where book 1, A Perfect Amish Romance, left off it was good to revisit Berlin, meet up with old friends, and make some new ones.

Romance abounds in this story, and not just for singles. Married people can rediscover romance too. This story had a lot of heartwarming moments that kept a satisfied smile on my face. I really appreciated the plot line of an “older” couple entertaining the idea of finding love.

Gray tackles the subjects of infertility, foster care, and adoption and does it very well. At no time did anything feel hopelessly heavy because there is always hope with God. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I am always excited when Shelley Shepard Gray releases a new novel. And I am grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest opinion of the book. An Amish Surprise is definitely a book I will read again and again- as it centers around a bookmobile, and the woman who runs it and brings books to the Amish and surrounding English communities. As an avid reader myself I love reading about characters who enjoy reading the way I do. In An Amish Surprise, we meet Sarah Anne yet again, and we see how she tries to be a friend to those who visit her bookmobile. It is wonderful to see her developing a special relationship with Pete. One very touching storyline is the bond formed between Amish farmer Clayton and foster child Miles. As well as the storyline between Clayton and his wife Miriam, as they deal with their desire for children and the sadness of infertility.. I am looking forward very much to the next book in this series. Shelley Shepard Gray is simply a masterful storyteller.

I enjoyed how the author had three storylines in one book and each one was as captivating as the next.

Sarah Anne drives the book mobile for the local library and she enjoys meeting people along the way on her stops. When Pete enters the bookmobile, they become interested in each other. Is it normal for people in their 60’s to date? Will they both get over their nervousness to enjoy each other’s company? Will their relationship become more than friends? These are a few questions they ask themselves.

Calvin and Miriam have tried unsuccessfully to have a baby. The final result usually ends in a miscarriage and each time, it feels like it drives a wedge between their marriage. When Calvin meets Miles, a foster child who frequents the book mobile, Calvin can’t help but feel a connection to the little boy. When he learns his foster family does not want to adopt him, he begins to open his heart and mind up to the suggestion that maybe he and Miriam could open their home to him. Will Calvin be able to get Miriam to even consider this idea or will her mind be closed to the adoption? Will Miriam let Calvin in on a little secret of her own that she has been withholding from him?

Miles is a 10 year old boy whose parents where killed when he was young. Since then, he has been going from home to home and all he wants is what most children have. A consistent family and continuous love. Will he find the family who will give of their love and their time? Will he ever know the joys of being wanted and enriching his life?

I love how the story makes a connection between the book mobile and the main characters. The book was so good, I read it in two days.

I was given a copy of the book by the author and publisher in return for my honest review and opinion.

"An Amish Surprise" contains several surprises for readers who enjoy Amish fiction. This is the second book in the Berlin Bookmobile series. Sarah Anne Miller serves as the bookmobile librarian, giving her an opportunity to meet and interact with many different people. Some of her bookmobile clients are Amish, including a family with a bunch of foster children, as well as a childless couple who long for children of their own.

When Calvin Gingerich meets 10-year-old Miles, who is currently a foster child, it seems like a match made in heaven. However, Calvin is uncertain how to introduce Miles to his wife Miriam, since she is not open to adoption.

Sarah Anne makes friends with Pete, a visitor to the bookmobile, and their friendship soon turns into something much more meaningful. When Pete encounters some health difficulties, Sarah Anne and Pete need to make some decisions about their future happiness.

Readers of the series will enjoy reconnecting with characters from Book 1, although this novel can be read as a stand-alone. The characters are likeable and realistic, and their problems and challenges will touch the hearts of readers. This is a clean and sweet novel, with a clear Christian message.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I loved this story. Everything revolves around the bookmobile. Interesting to see how the lives of so many are interwoven. The story really pulls at your heart. You will not be disappointed.

This is a sweet story with several aspects of marriage, relationships, parenthood and how they can all come together. The characters are relatable and interesting. They faced challenges I could relate to and relied on their relationships and faith to overcome them. This was a great book I would recommend to others!

This second book in the Berlin Bookmobile series was a delight to read. We meet back up with Sarah Ann who operates the bookmobile and has become friends with many of the people she meets doing her job. We also follow an Amish couple, Miriam and Clayton, as they struggle through infertility issues and secrets they each keep. All the characters are a delight to know, and it’s easy to think of them as friends. I recommend this series to anyone who likes to read Amish fiction and wants an easy book to read. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

It's wonderful to have the second installment of the Berlin Bookmobile series to go right into after I just finished the first.
Shelly Shepard Gray is an author I have been reading since she's started writing.
She's had many wonderful series out and this one is no exception.
Her books are casual but yet not fluff, they are substantial and make you think on the subject manner.
This one has a lot going on, several stories going on at the same time actually and keeps us interested all the way through.
An Amish couple fighting infertility after several years of marriage, after her miscarriages she is afraid to hope for a child of her own.
Her husband sees how sad she is and how she has drawn into herself unknown to him she has a secret but doesn't want to disappoint him again.
Unknown to her he is carrying a secret of his own and his wife notices a change in his behavior. Has he turned to another woman because of his despair?
I really love the idea of a book based on a book mobile librarian who is friends with everyone and who all go to advice for including Amish wife Miriam when she's worried about her relationship.
Sarah Anne, bookmobile librarian who was grieving her husband's passing in the first book now that sometime has passed is surprised to find she just may be ready for a new relationship in her sixties.
Wonderful series that I am really enjoying. I look forward to the next book!

Pub Date 18 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the second book of the Berlin Bookmobile series. I enjoyed it just as much as the first one. Here we see Sarah Ann once again traveling in her bookmobile and being a wonderful influence to the people she meets. Not only does she help patrons with finding the books that they need/want but she's caring and is so kind even in situations that can be tough. She meets Clayton, an Amish farmer, when he comes to find a book and ends up meeting Miles, a young boy in foster care. Clayton comes to care for the young boy and wants to adopt him even though his wife Miriam is not interested in adopting. They've had several miscarriages and have had a rough time of it lately. Both fertility issues and foster care are near to my heart so I could easily understand what they were going through. This is a touching story that anyone who enjoys Amish Christian Fiction will enjoy. And now I'm looking forward to the third installment of this series!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

A perfect continuation of this fun series! I love the mobile library and librarian storyline that is both together and separate from the Amish family and their story. I really enjoyed the story line of Miriam and her husband as well. Highly recommend this cute series.

This is the second in the series that continues the story of Sarah Anne Miller and the bookmobile. There is quite an emphasis on dating in the latter years in the book. In fact, each chapter gives a tip about dating.

My favorite part of the story wad Clayton and Miriam. They are an Amish couple who have been through multiple pregnancy losses. Clayton is eager to adopt but Miriam is hesitant. Clayton meets a 10 year old boy, Miles, at the bookmobile. Miles is a young fella who is in the foster care system. They form a friendship and Clayton questions whether he should do more for Miles.

This book really touched me and brought me to tears at one point. I can identify with the pregnancy losses and the love of foster kids.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.